silverfoxnik

Very nice.. particularly the Ibanez!

[quote name='4000' post='337840' date='Nov 26 2008, 10:53 PM']I'm with Nik on this. For me, having owned a Wal Custom, I actually found that I couldn't get close to replicating the sounds of the other instruments I loved; the Wal always sounded like a Wal to me, no matter what I did with it. The Alembic I have now is similar; vast tonal range, but alway sounds like an Alembic rather than something else. Sadly I didn't get on very well with my Wal (had ergonomic issues and could never get the sound to work in my band of the time) but I'd still like another someday; particularly a Pro (preferably passive) which I've coveted since first hearing Leigh Gorman of Bow Wow Wow.[/quote] I'm convinced you'd absolutely love the sound of the Pro models Shaun and not just because that's what Leigh had always used.. I think they're slightly quirkier and a little more distinctive sounding...

[quote name='escholl' post='336840' date='Nov 26 2008, 12:20 AM']If you do get the V3, I'd be really interested to know if the "preamp voicing" bit is any good...think this may call for a BC review [/quote] Good idea! Will decide which one (if any) over next few days and go from there...

[quote name='escholl' post='335965' date='Nov 25 2008, 12:28 AM']My housemate has the third one, the one going for 33 pounds, and I've been really impressed by it -- I know someone else who has one as well, and loves his. They're pretty tough, and all metal on the outside, and they sound great. Never figured out why they were so cheap, guess they're just simple....probably just due to their not using high voltage. Really though, you can't really go wrong for the price, if it was me, I'd probably go for the v3 model....or the cheap one.[/quote] Thanks for the info; really helpful. My first thought was to go for the V3 but will have a think on it now..

Hi Folks, I'm thinking about getting an inexpensive tube pre-amp to give me a little more tonal variety with my sound as I have a solid state amp. Had a look on the net and discovered a range by ART tube pre-amps on Ebay, all of which seem pretty good and very good value. See here: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=310087988495"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=310087988495[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300275174863"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=300275174863[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270306316115"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=270306316115[/url] Just wondering if anyone has used/owned any of them and can let me know what they think of them.. Thanks Nik

[quote name='StanRobinson' post='335417' date='Nov 24 2008, 01:01 PM']Nik, It's approx £7, so what do you reckon? SR[/quote] Hi Stan Sounds good; please can you PM me the payment details and I'll get it sorted and send you my address. Thanks! Nik

[quote name='saibuster' post='335241' date='Nov 24 2008, 12:45 AM']thanks for your answers guys! So if i understand correctly the reason for the price tag that these basses command is more due to emotional reasons rather than logical. I mean, if i end up paying 3k for a 4 string Shuker or Zoot it is going to be a beast with best possible raw materials that are available on the market. Its interesting that you mentioned Carl Thompson as i have two friends who played a CT bass and both of them basically said it was the best bass they ever played, tonally and balance/built etc. Its important that both of them are not Primus or Les Claypool fans.[/quote] I don't think it's just that... There is some truth in the fact that Wal prices have risen over the last few years as the production of new ones ground to a halt. But with Paul Herman taking over the brand now, that may change things and bring prices down to more realistic levels. However, there's many more people looking to buy vintage Fenders, for example, than Wals. So I don't think it's just the fact that 'collectors' have driven the prices up. It still has a great deal to do with the fact that they are incredibly well made and unique instruments that don't really have too many competitors out there in terms of what the electronics do... Just my 2p worth.

Hi Stan, Any idea what it might cost to post? I have a load of old Portastudio tapes that are 20 years old and I'd love to hear them again but don't have the machine to do so.. If the postage cost weren't too unreasonable then I'd be keen to take this off your hands.. Cheers Nik

Cheers Stu - glad you're happy with the bass!

[quote name='alexclaber' post='334557' date='Nov 22 2008, 06:51 PM'] I'm pretty confident it's come in at the target weight of 45lbs - it's a little heavier than my rack which contains a PLX 3002 (21lbs), Avalon U5 (7lbs plus rack ears) and is a Gator 4U shallow (~10lbs). Alex[/quote] Looks great Alex! Congratulations - you must be really pleased with it... When can those of us who are relatively local to you get a chance to hear it??

[quote name='bremen' post='334993' date='Nov 23 2008, 05:00 PM']Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey...Glen Matlock and the other Pistols...[/quote] I suspect the list is endless.....

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='334963' date='Nov 23 2008, 04:20 PM']Band chemistry works in strange ways. The fractious environment of members not quite getting on can really add energy and inspire some very creative moments. Obviously the converse can be true and harmonious environments can be conducive to the creation of great music.[/quote] It's a very interesting point John and I tend to believe that over the years, more great music has been created by bands/artists/writers when there is an element of what you call 'the fractious environment of members not quite getting on' Being a fan of Roxy Music, I was always fascinated by the well-documented 'creative tension' that existed between Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno in their early years. Many fans, me included, would say it helped inspire the band's best work. There's lots of similar stories about The Beatles along these lines too...

[quote name='BigRedX' post='334910' date='Nov 23 2008, 02:22 PM']You could say then that the Wal sound is a versatile one, and one that allows the player rather than the bass to be heard.[/quote] That's a really good point, though I also think that Wals do have a distictive tone of their own, especially the early Pro models which don't have the huge tonal range of the Custom ones.

Fascinating thread folks; I've learnt loads here I didn't know about from the early days of The Jam and about what happened subsequently so thanks for that... IMO. although Paul Weller has done loads of great stuff since The Jam days, I think he'll be most remembered for that amazing era when the band was so hugely successful. What saddens me though is that is that there must have been something very special about the chemistry between the three members of the band that made them so distictive, a bit like The Police for example. And that factor always seem to get overlooked when they fall out with each other and move onto different phases in their musical careers.

Trevor Horn has used them a lot over the years and IIRC, most of the bass on Frankie Goes To Hollywood's album 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' is a Wal and it sounds fantastic! Think he also used one on 'Slave To The Rhythm' by Grace Jones...

[quote name='WalMan' post='334687' date='Nov 23 2008, 01:07 AM']New gig, but probably not to be repeated. Another faintly Deliverance gig, for which Max & Mike are going to work up Duelling Banjos for the future Played OK, probably better that last night by a smidge, but we had to put up with one particular twat acting up in front of his mates. He stood with his head virtually in one of the cabs, then loudly moaned we were making him deaf. He also seemed to be spoiling for a fight with one chappie who was a bit barking (or possibly just p155ed), but completely unaware of what was going on. I had to congratulate Steve at the end of the night for sticking to a verbal comment & not lumping le tosseur. Shame it was that one that #1 son & g/f came to. Ah well she gets to see what his sad old man gets up to at the weekend and probably thinks WHY!? [/quote] Congrats on keeping it together! We had some twats like that last year at Horatios on the Pier in Brighton and it all ended up in tears after one of them tried to half-inch one of the guitars... Just got back from the Master Mariner in Brighton and it was a cracking night! Venue was pretty full, everyone dancing and singing along, really good sound.. Just what you want for all the effort luging gear around in the freezing cold! What never ceases to surprise me is the impact of Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' on an audience. Of all the songs we do, that one just connects with people more than anything else.. Our singer Pete always keeps the crowd singing along after we've finished it and sometimes, they keep going for 2 or 3 minutes.. Amazing! Anyway, that's enough post-gig chuntering from me.. G'night to one and all!

Just had a look at your website Alex; brilliant work! So when are you moving into amp design & manufacture then?

Nice collection! Really like that Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub...